Airports 2030: Morocco Launches $2.8 Billion Aviation Program

Doha – Morocco has launched a MAD 28 billion ($2.8 billion) investment program as part of its “Airports 2030” vision, aiming to more than double passenger capacity to 80 million by 2030, Transport and Logistics Minister Abdessamad Kayouh announced on Monday in Rabat.

The ambitious plan includes the construction of a new Casablanca airport on 800 hectares adjacent to the existing Mohammed V Airport. The new facility will single-handedly accommodate 40 million passengers and connect Morocco with long-haul destinations requiring over 8 hours of flight time.

“This program consists primarily of building a new airport in Casablanca, following Royal directives, to serve as a gateway between Morocco and other countries around the world, particularly distant destinations,” Kayouh told the Chamber of Representatives during a question session.

The new Casablanca airport will be integrated with high-speed rail connections, allowing travelers to reach Marrakech in 50 minutes and Tanger in 90 minutes. These enhancements align with plans to double Royal Air Maroc’s fleet from 50 to 100 aircraft by 2030.

Beyond Casablanca, several regional airports will undergo major expansion. The Rabat-Salé Airport will increase capacity to 4 million passengers, the Fez Airport to 5 million, and the Sania Ramel Airport to 2 million.

Moroccan airports handled over 34 million passengers in 2024, a figure expected to more than double under the 2030 vision. The plan prioritizes airports in FIFA World Cup 2030 host cities – Casablanca, Rabat, Tanger, Marrakech, Agadir, and Fez – but will extend to neighboring areas to promote economic development and social cohesion.

“These expansion efforts will not be limited to World Cup host cities but will include neighboring towns to achieve economic development and socio-economic cohesion,” Kayouh said.

The minister detailed several measures already implemented to improve passenger experience, including the elimination of scanners and reduction of airport transit times to under 25 minutes. Future enhancements will incorporate electronic gates and biometric passports.

Nationwide transport upgrade

On the rail front, Kayouh revealed that the National Office of Railways (ONCF) is advancing studies for the Marrakech-Agadir high-speed line, expected to be completed within three months.

Land acquisition has already begun, securing 8 km at Marrakech’s exit and over 60 hectares near Agadir’s Adrar stadium. The Marrakech-Casablanca high-speed segment is scheduled for completion by 2029, while an extension to Essaouira is under consideration.

In 2024, Moroccan railways transported 56 million passengers, predominantly via the Al Boraq high-speed train.

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has welcomed Morocco’s aviation strategy, noting the sector’s important economic impact. According to IATA’s “Value of Air Transport to Morocco” report from last month, aviation contributes MAD 112 billion ($11.2 billion) to GDP and supports 856,000 jobs, representing 7.9% of the country’s economy.

“Given the critical and growing importance of aviation to Morocco’s economy, the launch of the ‘Airports 2030 Strategy’ will have a far-reaching and positive impact on Morocco’s economic and social development,” said Kamil Al-Awadhi, IATA Regional Vice President for Africa and the Middle East.

IATA’s report indicates that Morocco’s international air connectivity has increased by 36% within Africa and 63% with other regions since 2014. The country now operates 18 airports with commercial scheduled flights connecting to 54 countries through direct routes.

The aviation sector directly employs 38,000 people in Morocco, generating MAD 11 billion ($1.1 billion) in economic output. Tourism supported by aviation makes the largest contribution, adding MAD 85 billion ($8.5 billion) to GDP and employing 681,600 people.

IATA has recommended three key priorities to maximize Morocco’s airport investments: ensuring cost-efficient charges and fees, building human resource capacity alongside infrastructure development, and implementing smart consumer regulations that reflect global best practices.

“It is no coincidence that the ‘Airports 2030 Strategy’ aligns with Morocco being a co-host of the 2030 FIFA World Cup. Morocco will be on the world stage, which is a great incentive to be ready to show off Morocco’s growing strength as an aviation hub linking Africa, Europe, and North America,” Al-Awadhi noted.